California State University, Northridge
AC-3: Undergraduate Program

CSUN's Geography and Environmental Studies (GES) Program prepares students to understand the environment around us and to interpret the patterns found across the Earth’s surface. Comprised of 48 units, the GES major allows flexibility in course selection, while providing a solid background in human, physical and regional aspects of the discipline. Students receiving a Bachelor of Science in Geography and Environmental Studies will be able to: -Demonstrate a foundation of knowledge characteristic of the learned individual, especially as it pertains to geography and environmental studies. -Demonstrate skills necessary to effectively acquire and synthesize new facts in a fashion characteristic of lifelong learners. -Demonstrate abilities as effective evaluators and critical analyzers of information and ideas; creatively and/or productively apply analytical skills to a problem or an argument relevant to geography and environmental studies. -Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively using textual, oral, graphic, or numeric media, especially as pertains to mapping and cartography. Practice sound ethical approaches in the study of geography and the environment. -Demonstrate productive civic and global citizenship, and awareness of and respect for human and environmental diversity.

The B.A. in Environmental Science degree provides a strong foundation in the major disciplines of environmental and Earth sciences upon which students can layer relevant coursework in other related fields to prepare for careers that integrate environmental science with policy, public awareness, K-12 education, and resource and risk evaluations. Students receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science will be able to: -Explain how the Earth system and anthropogenic processes have shaped a specific environment. -Interpret and critically evaluate environmental findings and their implications for society. -Evaluate solutions to social and environmental problems in the context of the Earth system. -Work collaboratively in a way that makes all members of an interdisciplinary team feel valued. -Communicate complex environmental findings to scientific and public audiences in written, oral, and visual formats.

The Sustainability Minor is available for students interested in learning current and best practices for planetary sustainability on an individual, institutional, regional and global level. This minor offers a broad education in sustainability from many perspectives. Core courses seek to educate students in the concepts of sustainability, the best practices in sustainability and to teach students to consider all factors: economic, environmental and social both in the short term and in the long term in making decisions. Elective courses are chosen from an individual’s field of interest where the emphasis is on issues relating to sustainability. The Minor complements many academic majors, and many of the courses offered within the program satisfy requirements or electives for other degree programs.

The Ecology and Evolutionary Biology option of the B.S. degree prepares graduates for employment in positions such as ecologist or wildlife preserve manager; for positions with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Land Management, National or State Parks, and other government agencies and private organizations; or for consulting positions in formulating environmental impact reports. Students receiving a Bachelor of Science in Biology will be able to: -Demonstrate knowledge of the structure and metabolism of cells, the transmission and expression of genetic information, and the immediate and long-term (evolutionary) consequences of interactions between organisms and their environment. -Demonstrate specialized knowledge in one or more disciplines of biology. Be aware of and/or capable of using new and existing methods and technologies in these disciplines. -Demonstrate facility in applying the methods of scientific inquiry, including observation, hypothesis testing, data collection and analysis. -Engage the biology literature and to communicate scientific information verbally and/or in writing.

The Civic and Community Engagement minor is designed for students who want to apply what they learn at CSUN toward making positive changes in their communities and the world. The minor provides skills for students to successfully integrate their academic and professional interests with their desire to create healthy, humane, successful and sustainable communities. Students will combine their CSUN coursework and collaborations with community partners to become informed and active members and leaders in society. The Civic and Community Engagement minor also can contribute to the professional development of students. Those who complete the minor will have at least two significant experiences with community service, fieldwork or internships with nonprofit or government organizations. Such experiences can help students make important contacts in their chosen professions, and students can develop important skills for collaborating respectfully and responsibly with others. Students receiving a minor in Civic and Community Engagement will be able to: -Collaborate with community organizations in a respectful and responsible manner. -Clearly express the missions and priorities of the organizations they serve. -Locate resources and take effective action for community service projects. -Reflect on what they learn personally and professionally from their community service. -Apply the concepts, vocabulary and skills acquired in their CSUN courses to their community service experiences. -Analyze the dynamic relationships among individuals, communities and organizations, including the social, economic and environmental influences on them.